Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about appointments, documents, refunds, ITINs, dependents, IRS letters, payment, and your privacy — in English or Spanish.
Getting Started
Yes — consultations are free of charge! If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, call us at (256) 534-5516 or stop by our Huntsville or Madison office.
¡Sí! We speak Spanish, so please feel free to call, e-mail us, or fill out the contact form in Spanish.
An appointment lets us set time aside for you. Call (256) 534-5516, send us a message, or stop by either office during business hours.
You're welcome to stop by our Huntsville or Madison office during business hours — Monday–Friday 9am–5:30pm and Saturday 9am–3pm (closed Sunday). Calling ahead at (256) 534-5516 lets us have time ready for you.
Call us at (256) 534-5516, e-mail elvairis@knology.net, fill out the contact form, or stop by either office. You can do any of these in English or Spanish.
We see clients in person at our Huntsville and Madison offices, and you can reach us by phone at (256) 534-5516 or by e-mail at elvairis@knology.net. Ask us about other options when you call.
We serve clients nationwide, not only those who can visit our offices. Call us or send a message, and we'll explain how to get your documents to us and go over your return with you.
Yes. Our owner, Elva Iris Castano, is a professional tax preparer and accountant with a current PTIN and more than 20 years of tax experience. Call (256) 534-5516 to talk with her.
Huntsville: Preston Plaza, 504-D Jordan Lane NW, Huntsville, AL 35805. Madison: 116 St Louis St, Madison, AL 35758, by Toyota Field. We’re open Monday–Friday 9am–5:30pm and Saturday 9am–3pm (closed Sunday).
Tax Preparation
Bring what applies to you. If you're not sure, bring what you have and we'll tell you what's missing:
- A photo ID, and Social Security cards or ITIN letters for you, your spouse, and your dependents
- W-2s from every employer, and 1099s (1099-NEC, 1099-K, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-R, SSA-1099)
- Records of self-employment income and expenses
- Form 1098 (mortgage interest), 1098-T (tuition), and 1095-A (Marketplace health insurance)
- Childcare provider's name, address, tax ID, and the amount you paid
- Last year's tax return and any IRS letters you received
- Your bank's routing and account numbers for direct deposit
- Your Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), if the IRS gave you one
Yes. We offer individual and business tax planning and preparation, business entity selection (LLC/corporations), accounting and payroll services, sales tax, and bookkeeping.
Yes. Bring your 1099-NEC and 1099-K forms and your records of income and business expenses. We prepare the return, can keep your books, and help you plan estimated tax payments so you aren't surprised next year.
It depends on how complex your return is and whether all your documents are ready. When you bring everything in, we'll tell you when to expect it.
We prepare prior-year tax returns. Filing as soon as possible limits penalties and interest, and if you're owed a refund, you generally have three years from the original due date to claim it.
Yes. We prepare amended returns (Form 1040-X) to fix errors or add income, deductions, or credits that were missed. You can track an amended return on our Where Is My Refund? page.
Where Is My Refund?Amended returns on IRS.gov (opens in a new tab)
Yes — bring us a copy of the return and the documents it was based on. If we find a mistake or something that was missed, we can prepare an amended return.
Returns that are filed electronically are signed with an IRS e-file signature authorization (Form 8879). Ask us about your signing options when we prepare your return.
Yes. Paid tax preparers are required by law to give you a complete copy of your return.
Refunds
The IRS issues most refunds for e-filed returns with direct deposit in less than 21 days. Paper returns take longer, and by law refunds that include the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit can't be issued before mid-February.
Track your federal refund and amended federal return on IRS.gov, and find your state's refund tracker through the IRS list of state tax agencies — all linked on our Where Is My Refund? page.
ITIN
Yes. We prepare returns for ITIN holders and their families. Keep in mind that you cannot claim the earned income credit using an ITIN.
Yes. Our owner, Elva Iris Castano, is an IRS-authorized Acceptance Agent. She helps you complete Form W-7, which is used both for new ITINs and for renewals, reviews your documents, and sends your application to the IRS. An ITIN expires if it isn't used on a federal tax return for three years in a row.
Dependents & Tax Credits
Yes, if they meet the IRS rules for a qualifying child or a qualifying relative. Claiming a dependent can lower your tax and may qualify you for credits like the Child Tax Credit or the Credit for Other Dependents. We'll check each person with you.
A qualifying child is generally your child, stepchild, foster child, sibling, or a descendant of one of them who is under 19 (under 24 if a full-time student, or any age if permanently disabled) and lived with you more than half the year. A qualifying relative can be another relative, or someone who lived with you all year, if their income is below the IRS limit and you provide more than half of their support. Dependents must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or residents, or residents of Canada or Mexico.
Often, yes. A parent can be your qualifying relative if you pay more than half of their support, their gross income is below the IRS limit for the year, and they are a U.S. citizen, national, or resident, or a resident of Canada or Mexico. Your parents don't have to live with you.
Usually not. A dependent must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. resident, or a resident of Canada or Mexico. A child who lives in another country generally doesn't qualify, with limited exceptions for adopted children. Bring us the details and we'll check your situation.
Generally the custodial parent — the one the child lived with for more nights during the year. The custodial parent can let the other parent claim the child (and the Child Tax Credit) by signing Form 8332, but that release doesn't transfer head of household status, the earned income credit, or the child care credit.
You may qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit if you paid for care of a child under 13 (or a spouse or dependent who can't care for themselves) so you — and your spouse, if married — could work or look for work. Bring the provider's name, address, tax ID, and how much you paid.
The child must be under 17 at the end of the year, be your qualifying child, have lived with you more than half the year, and have a Social Security number valid for employment. The credit also depends on your income, and recent law changes added Social Security number requirements for parents too — we'll check your eligibility.
If you e-file, the IRS will reject the return. If you have the right to claim the dependent, you can still file a paper return claiming them; the IRS will later contact both taxpayers to decide who qualifies. Bring us the rejection notice and we'll help you through it.
Your filing status depends on your marital status on December 31. If you're married on that date, you file jointly or separately for the whole year. If your divorce or legal separation is final by December 31, you file as single — or as head of household if you qualify.
Common credits include the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, the Credit for Other Dependents, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, education credits (American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning), and the Premium Tax Credit for Marketplace health insurance. We review every credit you may qualify for when we prepare your return.
Earned Income Tax Credit (opens in a new tab)All credits on IRS.gov (opens in a new tab)
IRS Letters, Audits & Tax Debt
Don't ignore it — most letters have a response deadline. Bring the letter to us (or call and read us the notice number in the top corner). We offer IRS representation and will explain what it means and what to do next.
Yes. We offer IRS representation, and we can help you understand your options if you owe — including payment plans with the IRS.
Pricing & Payment
It depends on your return. Consultations are free — call us at (256) 534-5516 and we'll go over what your return needs and what it costs before we start.
Ask us during your free consultation — we'll tell you what your federal and state returns cost before we start.
We'll go over every form your return needs and what it costs during your free consultation, before any work begins.
We accept credit and debit cards, cash, and checks.
Your Documents & Privacy
The safest way is to bring them to our Huntsville or Madison office. If you can't come in, call us at (256) 534-5516 and we'll tell you how to send them safely.
Ask us first. We'll tell you which documents we can work from as copies and how to send them safely. Some documents — like those for an ITIN application — have to be originals or certified copies.
Yes. Federal law prohibits tax preparers from using or sharing your tax information without your consent, and we only share it as needed to file your return or with your permission.
We keep your information confidential, use it only to prepare and file your return, and share it only with your permission. Ask us how to get your documents to us safely if you can't bring them in.
Paid preparers must keep a copy of your return, or a record of it, for at least three years. Keep your own copy and supporting records for at least three years too — longer for some situations, like property records.
Insurance
Personal and commercial auto, motorcycle, homeowners, renters, flood, and commercial general liability insurance — plus free insurance consulting for individuals and businesses.
